The next-generation is right around the corner, with the Xbox One and Playstation 4 soon to be replaced by the upcoming Xbox Series X and Playstation 5. With the close of the current-generation, let’s look back at the best Xbox One games of all time.
Its hard to believe that the Xbox One was released 7 years ago. It had a rocky start with the controversy over the original plan of games locking to specific console, essentially eliminating the used market. Then there was the plan that the Kinect would need to be connected to the console at all time, giving users a lot of concern over privacy and security issues. Eventually both of these plans were u-turned, but the damage was already done and it led to the Xbox One flopping, especially in Europe.
The Xbox One’s estimated total sales are around 50 million units. While that sounds like a lot, the Xbox 360 sold approximately 84 million units, while the Microsoft’s current-gen competitor, the Playstation 4, has sold approximately 112 million units, around double what the Xbox One has sold.
It will be interesting to see whether the Xbox Series X can close the gap with the upcoming generation. The console is more powerful than the Playstation 5, but with a much smaller initial userbase the Xbox may forever be destined to stay in second place.
But we’re here to focus on the current-generation, so let’s dive into this list.
10. Fortnite
Ok, I know this will probably get some hate but hear me out. Regardless of what you might personally feel about the game, it is pretty hard to deny the impact Fortnite has had on video games. Fortnite has completely revolutionized the gaming industry, encouraging developers to favour free-to-play and use cosmetics to make money. This has been followed and copied by so many games since its release. It also cracked the mainstream in a way that very few video games have ever done. The games impact has also been seen in the world of content creation, building careers for so many players and giving thousands of players opportunities to build a career around gaming.
And the game is very solid too with regular updates to keep the game fresh, as well as boasting over 350 million players and regularly averaging 6 million players playing Fortnite at any one time. Without Fortnite the gaming world would probably look very different. So love it or hate it, it is hard to deny it is a good game. Minecraft was also an option for this position too.
9. Sea Of Thieves
One of the few Microsoft exclusives on this list, Sea Of Thieves is a fantastic game. Allowing players to live out their dream as a pirate, sailing and exploring, fighting and plundering, riddle solving and treasure hunting. Since launching in 2018, Sea Of Thieves has seen 5 massive expansion packs as well as monthly content all updates all for free. This is a game that you definitely have to be in for the long haul, but it is a very satisfying experience packed full of content.
8. Celeste
Celeste is punishing, unforgiving, and an absolute masterclass in 2D platforming. Celeste was designed with speed running in mind and has a heavy focus on platforming. This game will test your skills as a gamer, but when you eventually complete it, it is one of the most satisfying experiences as a gamer. If you’re a fan of platformers, or just think of yourself as a skilled player, you need to play this game.
7. Forza Horizon 4
Back in day Sony’s Gran Turismo reigned supreme, now it has been kicked off the top spot by the fantastic Forza series. Forza Horizon 4 is the pinnacle of modern racing games, mixing exploration and a deep level of racing in a variety of vehicle types. Graphically the game is stellar too, I have seen side by side images of the game and its real life location and at times it took me more than a few seconds to figure out which one was the game. Forza Horizon 4 is one of the most beautiful games on Xbox One and has raised the bar for what a great racing game needs to be.
6. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo, the game that started it all for Xbox. Halo has been synonymous with the Xbox brand and is a huge part of its identity. In 2014 Microsoft released The Master Chief Collection, allowing gamers to experience Halo CE, 2, 3, ODST, 4, and Reach in one package. Halo has often been a masterclass in how to make a first person shooter game and some of them are arguably among the best FPS games of all time. If you’re an Xbox player and you don’t own at least one Halo game, are you really an Xbox gamer?
5. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was an unexpected gem. After EA acquired the license for Star Wars games, the future of Star Wars games looked rocky to say the least. After the lacklustre Battlefront 1 and the controversial Battlefront 2, EA ended up knocking it out of the park with Fallen Order. Offering a deep single-player campaign and solid gameplay that takes inspiration from games such as Tomb Raider and Dark Souls. It may not be Knights Of The Old Republic 3 (just make it already!), but I think we can all agree that we are perfectly fine with this new IP and hope a sequel is being developed.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2
Cowboy GTA made a return in 2018 with the hugely anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2. Red Dead Redemption 2 “follows outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. Arthur must deal with the decline of the Wild West whilst attempting to survive against government forces, rival gangs, and other adversaries. The story also follows fellow gang member John Marston, the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption.”
Rockstar know how to make an open world game, filling the world to the brim with things to explore, missions to complete, and a whole host of wacky characters and interactions. Rockstar put on a video game clinic with RDR2 and it is currently the highest rated game of this generation on Metacritic with a huge score of 97/100.
3. Resident Evil 2
After nearly a decade of action focused Resident Evil games, the series went back to horror with RE7 before the long awaited Resident Evil 2 Remake was released in 2019. The original RE2 came out way back in 1998 and is often hailed as the greatest Resident Evil game, and with good reason. Taking place during the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City, the game sees Leon Kennedy make his debut as a rookie cop, along with Claire Redfield, sister of Chris from the first game. The story is fantastic and intense, graphically it looks amazing and the game really knows how to make you feel attached to the characters. This is the best that Resident Evil has been in a long time.
2. The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 took the gaming world by storm, with over 1.5 million people pre-ordering the game and it outsold The Witcher 2 by 600% in its first week. To date The Witcher 3 has sold over 28 million copies and have won numerous awards, including multiple Game Of The Year awards. The Witcher 3 is a mammoth of game, easily giving players hundreds of hours of content and still being able to find something to do. It will be interesting to see if Cyberpunk 2077 with live up to expectations when it is released next month, because The Witcher 3 is a big act to follow.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Finally we have Grand Theft Auto V, the game that will soon span 3 console generations, first making its appearance on the PS3/Xbox 360. What is there left to say about GTA V? The game is as close to a masterpiece as you can get. The world is massive and rich, the story arc is very fulfilling, and there is tonnes of replayability post-story. And that’s before you dive into the online mode, which while it is a cesspool with the amount of toxicity among players, it provides endless content for gamers to enjoy. GTA V broke many records, generating over $1 billion in sales in its first 3 days of release. It has sold over 135 million copies, making it one of the highest selling games of all time, and has raked in billion for Rockstar and Take Two. There really wasn’t any other option for the top spot.
Like what you see? Don’t forget to share our work with the buttons below! Also, be sure to follow @GamezoGG on Twitter and check out our YouTube Channel for more great content from the Gamezo Team!
